On Thursday, April 2nd, the Torrington Historical Society will host the second program in the History Bites series in the Torrington Historical Society Carriage House, 192 Main Street. An annual lunch-time lecture series, History Bites is funded by the Connecticut Humanities Council. The series is presented at various locations throughout the Litchfield Hills area over a period of ten weeks. All lectures are held on Thursdays at noon and attendees are invited to bring lunch; beverages and dessert will be provided by the hosting organization. There is a suggested donation of $2 per lecture. The theme of this year’s lecture series is “A Day in the Life”.
On April 2nd, Torrington Historical Society Executive Director Mark McEachern will discuss one of the most frightening days in the lives of Torrington residents – August 19, 1955. Mr. McEachern’s illustrated lecture, “Black Friday: The Flood of 1955” will highlight the causes and aftermath of the most destructive natural disaster to hit Torrington and the Naugatuck Valley. The effect on the daily lives of Torrington people will be illustrated with photographs from the collection of the Torrington Historical Society and will include photos taken by professional photographer James Miller as well as snapshots taken by several amateur photographers. The images clearly show the destructive force of the flood waters and thoroughly document the resulting damage. The program will also include information on how Torrington’s citizens, with help from relief organizations and the Army Corps of Engineers, put the city back on its feet again. The flood of 1955 was a defining moment in the history of Torrington and in the lives of those who experienced this disaster. For more information, please call the Society at (860) 482-8260.
The next lecture in the series will be hosted by the Old Woodbury Historical Society and will be held at the Woodbury Senior Center on Thursday, April 9th. Ruth Crocker, living history interpreter, will portray Louisa May Alcott in a program titled “Witness to a Century of Change”. As Louisa May Alcott, she will reflect on her involvement in the struggles for women’s rights and the abolition of slavery. For more information about this program please call (203) 263-2446.
